Training Bike

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by runway
I'd really appreciate some advice on buying a bike I can use for the bulk of my training and for the winter. I'm currently riding a Trek 1500 and want to save it for racing and the odd training ride. Is this worthwhile?

I'd like anybodys opinion on the Trek 1000 as a training bike. Would it be better to stick to the Trek to keep the familiarity of my 1500 frame?

Cheers!

Buy a used steel frame. Keep the gearing the same. Put racks and panniers on it... ride it hard.

You'll be a jackrabbit when ya switch back to the 'butter-bike'.

Better yet, do what Lance does.. cross train on some MTB challenges.

Or buy yourself a single speed. Learn how to 'never coast'.

Whatever you buy, make very sure that the physical dimensions of the two bikes exactly match. Use the same seat and bar reach & drop. Depending on the frame differences that may mean different stems or whatever. Set the the seat position behind the BB and seat height identically first and then adjust or swap the other stuff as required. A lot of guys develop niggling muscle pain problems by not doing this right the first time.
Personally I believe the idea of training on a heavier bike has real merit. If, like most of us, you train on mainly the same roads, then matching the gearing of the two bikes becomes important too.